Philip Bernardi, executive vice president and chief banking officer at Oconee State Bank in Watkinsville, has been elected by his peers in north Georgia to serve a three-year term on the Leadership GBA Board of Directors.

Leadership GBA supports the advancement of career bankers by providing leadership development training, serving as a forum through which career bankers can network and exchange ideas and promoting industry advocacy activities at the local, state and federal levels.

"Philip stands out as one of Georgia's most outstanding banking leaders. We're incredibly fortunate to have someone of his caliber guiding his peers across the state. We eagerly anticipate the insights, wisdom, and experience he'll bring to the role,” said GBA Chairman Brad Barber, president and CEO of First National Bank, Bainbridge.

Bernardi earned an undergraduate degree in political science and business administration from Presbyterian College. He is also a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he obtained a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on finance.

With two decades in the banking industry, Bernardi is an experienced leader in the areas of commercial lending, marketing and business development, sales leadership and relationship banking. Since joining Oconee State Bank in 2016, the bank’s footprint has expanded into Athens/Clarke, Gwinnett, Macon-Bibb and Elbert counties. Under his leadership, the bank is pursuing further expansion into South Georgia and has established a government guaranteed lending group as well as a mortgage group, RMKBL Mortgage.

Active with the association, Bernardi served on the GBA Credit Committee from 2017 to 2023. He has also participated in GBA Leadership and Senior Lending Officer roundtables.

In his community, Bernardi serves as the national board chair of Extra Special People and as an active board member of both the Oconee Parks Foundation and Oconee County Rotary Club.